THE VISION OF MOSAIC PART 3

Over these 4 weeks we are unpacking our new vision statement “Joining Gods mission to build a community that transforms the world”.

Today I’ll be looking at the sort of community God wants to build at Mosaic. 3 main things from Hebrews 10:19-25
i) Intimate and intentional
24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

‘To consider’ means to spend time thinking, deciding, mulling, seeking.  So verse 24 says do the same in terms of encouraging each other. Think about it, ponder, ask how can I truly help? Have you got a couple of people that are more than just friendly but are actively, intentionally helping you grow.  Do you have someone to listen to your life circumstances, be there for you to confess your failings, be willing to unearth your wrong motivations?  We ask everyone to be in an accountability group to foster this. 2 or 3 others that over time become intimate and intentional about your growth, care and mission.

Not just that, but notice what the author says next:
24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

To ‘Spur one another’ means to irritate and provoke or sharply disagree and confront.  If you don’t have this, someone to help you with your blind spots then you won’t grow fully.
If you are too touchy to be accountable – you’re in big trouble.

ii) Encouraging
25 ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’

These verses mean more than encouraging your friends.  Every group of people has someone you look down on.  Every people group has those they are against.
Maybe Russians, travelers, scousers, Pakistani’s, royals, students, southerners that have moved up north!
Who is it for you?  True church community is full of people that consider how to encourage the people you like the least!

iii) Action
24 ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.’

Accountability and mission group should propel you into love and good deeds.  Nothing special about this structure, just community that is intimate, intentional and encouraging will mean our lives are different.  This is one of the ways we join God’s mission.

1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  People will see our ‘good works’ and praise our father in heaven.  Much of it is hidden, very ordinary, and done over the long haul.  This makes it very doable!

So if you want to get involved in Mosaic Church.  Here are our three places to belong:
i) Accountability groups:  People who know you yet still are your friends. Intimate and intentional about growth, care and mission

ii) Mission groups:  Real, ordinary, yet profoundly designed to propel you into love and good deeds.

iii) Sunday Gatherings:We bring together all our mission groups and guests for encouragement, vision, teaching and enjoying the presence of God.

Questions:
1) Has your mission group got any stories to tell?  Talk about them then get someone to email them to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) so we can share them with the rest of the church.
2) Talk about accountability and how it works for you.  How does someone find an accountability group in your mission group?
3) How can you become a comunity that is more intentional and intimate?  How could you encourage each other and spur one another on to love and good deeds?  Can you think of examples from scripture where we see this happening in friendship and community?
4)  John Ortborg suggests ‘People do not drift into full devotion to Christ. People do not drift into becoming loving, joy-filled, patient, winsome, world changers. It requires intention and effort.  But the default mode of the human heart is to drift. If a person has experienced real transformation, it’s typically because someone else has cared enough to say, “I want you to live God’s way, and I want to help you know if you are serious about it.” Do you agree?  Discuss this statement. 
5) How can you invite more people to your mission group?